There’s a gremlin called grief and it pops up in the most inconvenient times.

Couple holding hands in the store? No emotion.

Walking past the camping isle in Walmart? Emotional breakdown.

The gremlin called Grief doesn’t care if it’s been 6 days or 6 years.

You will relive all the worst moments you endured if someone you know is sick or dying.

Birthdays, holidays, weddings, school functions, and every happy moment are always a little sad because they should be here.

The gremlin called grief isn’t loud…but sometimes it’s the only noise you hear. Some days the gremlin sleeps and you have a normal day. Some times the gremlin is so loud you can’t think.

The gremlin called grief lives in your heart. Sometimes it escapes and lives in every part of your life. Rooms, the TV, the car, the grocery store. Nothing is sacred.

The gremlin called grief likes to fight with other gremlins. It’s not only you who lost your person after all. The gremlins wage war over whose gremlin should win. Sometimes you find peaceful gremlins where you can sit and reminisce.

What the gremlin called grief really wants us to know is that its name is love, memories, sadness and anger.  It condensed all our emotions and made it into this monster called grief.

Our gremlin serves us as a reminder that tomorrow isn’t guaranteed. It is our constant companion to remind us our love doesn’t die with our person. It lives on through us day by day.

Mark your calendars! Hope For Widows Foundation’s annual virtual Widows of Hope 5K event has returned on Friday, May 10 through Sunday, May 12, 2023. Anyone can join! Whether you are a widow, widower, or a friend/family member showing support or walking in the loss of another family member, everyone is welcome to participate. The proceeds will directly support widows through the annual financial Restoring Hope and Peace Grants, Sunshine Boxes program, and Bring Hope Holiday Assistance Program. Do you have or know a business that would like to sponsor? That’s an option too! To register and frequently asked questions- please go here:

https://secure.getmeregistered.com/get_information.php?event_id=139671 

About 

Nicole “Nikki” Jacquez started her journey in July 2020 when her husband, Jeremy, was diagnosed with stage one pancreatic cancer. Jeremy fought bravely but lost his battle in January 2021. He left behind Nikki, their daughter Mia, and countless friends and family. Becoming a widow at 29, Nikki has made it a priority to help educate and have open discussions about the unexpected in life. Nikki has made it a priority to live life to its fullest and to keep having as many adventures as she and Jeremy would have had together. Nikki is learning to live her next chapter in life and is hoping to help other widows be able to do the same.